Steven Spielberg to direct "West Side Story" remake?

Steven Spielberg could be set to direct a remake of 'West Side Story'.

Fox has reportedly unlocked the movie title from its archive in hope that the Academy Award-winning director will helm the project, after he expressed keen interest in remaking the classic musical.

According to Deadline, no writer has been confirmed and Spielberg has done little more than register an interest in the film.

Spielberg's adaptation could see a modern spin on the original 'West Side Story' - based on the classic tale of 'Romeo and Juliet' - which started off as a Broadway musical in 1957 before being made into a movie in 1961.

The film starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris and was directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins.

The news comes amid rumours Stacey Snider, the chairman and CEO of DreamWorks, is eyeing a move to Fox, which would work in favour of Spielberg who is a principal partner for the movie studio and has a long-time working relationship with the movie mogul.

Spielberg is currently between projects as his sci-fi film 'Robopocalypse' has been delayed, whilst a follow-up to his 2011 animation 'The Adventures Of Tintin' has also been pushed back.

The 67-year-old director is also rumoured to have been involved in discussions for 'Montezuma' - tipped to star Javier Bardem - which documents the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire.